Ooty Flower Show till May 28: What to see, and all about the Smart Tourist QR code

The 128th Ooty Flower Show, which began a little late due to elections, has commenced with enthusiastic participation of tourists. This year's theme is the protection and preservation of Tamil heritage; therefore, the show's highlights are the Chennai Railway Station model, assembled with 1.14 lakh coronation flowers, and the Mahabalipuram temple model, with 80,000 flowers. There is also a Thiruvalluvar statue at the show, which is winning much praise. More than 10 lakh flowering pots are also arranged for the event, which will run till May 28. Earlier, Tamil Nadu's new CM Joseph Vijay was expected to attend the flower show, but the inauguration was subdued on a rainy day.

Restrictions
Meanwhile, there are restrictions on horse riding in Ooty, Chennai and Kodaikanal following the confirmation of the glanders disease in horses used for leisure trips. Horses are also not allowed to be transported to other districts. This is the first time glanders disease has been confirmed in Chennai. Fever, cough, nasal discharge, joint inflammation, and wounds on the body are among the key symptoms of glanders. Horses across Chennai, including those belonging to the mounted wing of the Chennai City Police, are also being monitored for the disease. The disease primarily affects the lungs and can prove fatal in severe cases. The Ooty Municipal Administration and the Animal Husbandry Department will soon implant microchips in the horses.

Smart tourist QR code in Ooty
To ease traffic congestion during the summer season in the Nilgiris, the district administration has launched a modern web-based tourism guide titled 'Smart Tourist QR Code.' Since tourists visiting the Nilgiris often arrive in their own vehicles or hired cabs, the district experiences severe traffic congestion in May.

To alleviate traffic congestion, the 'Smart Tourist QR Code' was developed by the Nilgiris District Police. Through this QR code, tourists can access vital information to plan their itineraries effectively; specifically, they can check real-time traffic conditions in Ooty before arriving in the town. Furthermore, it allows them to locate parking facilities at various tourist sites, thereby enabling them to park directly upon arrival and avoid unnecessary delays.

The QR code also provides tourists with immediate alerts and warnings regarding weather conditions and potential road obstructions in the Nilgiris district. Meanwhile, District Collector Lakshmi Bhavya Taneeru announced that, due to the prevalence of Equine Herpesvirus among horses, a ban has been imposed on bringing horses into the Nilgiris from other districts without proper authorisation.

Speaking to the media, she said a consultative meeting would be convened to determine the course of action regarding medical examinations for horses within the tourist town of Udhagamandalam. The collector warned that strict action would be taken against owners if their horses were found wandering unattended on the roads.
(With PTI inputs)